Church of the Nazarene – East Rock

Christ Above All: Hebrews Part 1

The heartbeat of the Book of Hebrews is the ultimate supremacy of Christ over all.

The heartbeat of the Book of Hebrews is the ultimate supremacy of Christ over all. Jesus is above every power, every battle, even every prophet from the scriptures- Christ is above all. So, much of our study will zero in on Christ, why He is above all, and how our thoughts and lives should be different because of Him.

The letter of Hebrews begins with that same focus, and that’s where we begin today-

Hebrews 1:1-2

In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe.

Without any greeting or introduction, the author dives right into the matter at hand- The supremacy of Christ.

We don’t know for certain who the author of this letter is. We do know that the author is well trained in the Greek language, and he knows the Old Testament scriptures and the story of God’s people very well.

The author begins by setting up a contrast, between the back then of the Old Testament, and the now of Christ.

He basically says “We used to hear form God second hand through his messengers, but now we hear straight from Him through Jesus Christ, His son”

In the first sentence the author is already establishing the supremacy of Christ.

Hebrews 1:2-4

but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe. The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven. So he became as much superior to the angels as the name he has inherited is superior to theirs.

Verses 1-4 are one sentence in the original Greek, and within this one packed sentence there are 7 different affirmations of the person, work, and status of Christ.

“Christ is the appointed heir of all things.” Jesus is the one set in authority by the father, witnessed in the Old Testament scriptures.

“Through whom also he made the universe.” Jesus Christ is an active agent with the father in the creation of the universe.

“Jesus is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being.”Jesus told his disciples “If you have seen me, you have seen the father.” That’s the essence of this passage.

“Jesus is the one sustaining all things by his powerful word.” Jesus is leading his plan of redemption on, by his powerful word.

“Christ provided purification for sins.” The blood of Christ provided a sacrifice that didn’t need to be repeated. Once and for all, Christ atoned for our sin.

“He is seated at the right hand of God.” Having finished his work, he is enthroned in the position of power and authority.

“Jesus is above all angels and heavenly hosts.” Throughout the the letter, the author will show that Christ is superior to the angels, to the old covenant and Moses himself.

The letter of Hebrews declares this truth loud and clear throughout the centuries- Christ is above all.

He’s above creation, He’s above the seen and unseen, He’s above every problem you can conceive of for your life.

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Church of the Nazarene Harrisonburg

Christ Above All: Hebrews part 2 Harrisonburg

What, in your life is better than Jesus? What in your life is higher than Jesus? Does anything in your mind stand above Jesus?

Those are the unspoken questions asked by the Book of Hebrews.

The book of Hebrews not only shows that Christ fulfills the promises of the Old Testament prophecies but also proves that Christ is better than anything established in the Jewish system. Christ above all!

But the question is, is He above all for you?

Hebrews 4:14-15

So then, since we have a great High Priest who has entered heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to what we believe. This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin.

Hebrews 5:1-4

Every high priest is a man chosen to represent other people in their dealings with God. He presents their gifts to God and offers sacrifices for their sins. And he is able to deal gently with ignorant and wayward people because he himself is subject to the same weaknesses. That is why he must offer sacrifices for his own sins as well as theirs. And no one can become a high priest simply because he wants such an honor. He must be called by God for this work, just as Aaron was.

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The priest’s job was to offer sacrifices to the Lord daily, and once a year, on Yom Kippur, The Day of Atonement, the High Priest would offer a sacrifice for the sins of the people. He would enter the Holy Place. As he made his way to the back of the Holy Place, there was a veil, which served as a divider separating man from the presence of God (the Holy of Holies). This was the dwelling place of God.

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By the time the High Priest made it to the Holy of Holies, he would have gone through various cleansing. When entering the Holy of Holies, the High Priest did not wear the colorful golden garments but only the white linen garments. As the High Priest entered this most sacred room, he would first burn incense before the Ark of the covenant , filling the room with smoke. He then exited and re-entered the Holy of Holies with blood from the sacrifice, which he sprinkled on the Ark of the Covenant seven times. As Israel was not allowed to enter the Holy of Holies, the High Priest represented all of Israel, making atonement first for his own sins and then for the sins of Israel through the blood of the sacrifice.

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He would place the blood of the animal that was sacrificed on the lid of the ark of the covenant, called the mercy seat.

This worked for a while, but God had a better plan! From the beginning of time, God had already made a way for THE HIGH PRIEST to make the ultimate sacrifice.

Hebrews 5:7-10

While Jesus was here on earth, he offered prayers and pleadings, with a loud cry and tears, to the one who could rescue him from death. And God heard his prayers because of his deep reverence for God. Even though Jesus was God’s Son, he learned obedience from the things he suffered. In this way, God qualified him as a perfect High Priest, and he became the source of eternal salvation for all those who obey him. And God designated him to be a High Priest in the order of Melchizedek.

Have you ever faced financial hardship? Remember, Jesus was born in a humble stable (Luke 2:7).

Ever felt frustrated? Imagine traveling with His disciples, who often misunderstood and doubted Him (Mark 9:19).

Tempted? Jesus faced Satan’s temptations in the desert, resisting every lure with the Word of God (Matthew 4:1-11).

Tired? Jesus journeyed by foot, often weary and seeking rest (John 4:6).

Hungry? He experienced hunger and ate with His disciples, sharing in their daily needs (Mark 11:12).

Overwhelmed with sorrow? Jesus wept at the death of His friend Lazarus (John 11:35).

Angry? He cleared the temple, driving out those who defiled His Father’s house (John 2:15-16).

Betrayed? Judas, one of His closest followers, sold Him out for thirty pieces of silver ($260)

(Matthew 26:14-16).

Overwhelmed with anguish and stress? He said to His disciples before His prayer at Gethsemane, “My soul is crushed with grief to the point of death” (Matthew 26:38).

Innocent and wrongly accused? Jesus stood before the council, falsely charged by those who sought His death (Mark 14:55-59).

Taken advantage of and humiliated? “They stripped Him and wove thorn branches into a crown, mocking and taunting Him” (Matthew 27:28-29).

Feel disappointed in someone? Consider Peter, who denied knowing Him three times despite his earlier promises of unwavering loyalty (Luke 22:61-62).

Yet through it all, Jesus remained steadfast, showing us that He truly understands our struggles. No matter what we face, we can bring it to Him, knowing He has walked this path and overcome it for our sake.

1. Jesus knows our woes and meets our needs.

2. Jesus, our King and Priest, reigns and intercedes

3. Jesus’ submission to God’s will set the ultimate example for us

Jesus’ obedience was not passive; it was active and intentional.

Hebrews 5:8-9

Even though Jesus was God’s Son, he learned obedience from the things he suffered. In this way, God qualified him as a perfect High Priest, and he became the source of eternal salvation for all those who obey him.

Jesus’ life teaches us that obedience to God is not about avoiding suffering, but about trusting God through it.

Let us, therefore, draw strength from Jesus’ example. Let us strive to be obedient to God’s will, trusting that He is working all things for our good. In our moments of doubt and pain, let us remember that we have a High Priest who not only understands our struggles but has also shown us the way through them.

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Church of the Nazarene – East Rock

Christ Above All: Hebrews Part 2

The heartbeat of the Book of Hebrews is the ultimate supremacy of Christ over all.

Today we are continuing our summer teaching series in the book of Hebrews called “Christ Above All”.

Hebrews was written to a persecuted group of Christians in or around the city of Rome, and under the pressure of the moment, they were tempted to return to their Jewish roots to escape the persecution that came with the name of Jesus.

But as we find in the letter itself, the author has gone to great lengths to show these weary Christians that Christ is better than anything else they can turn to- they shouldn’t give up on him.

One of the “Jesus is better” themes we find in the book of Hebrews is that Jesus is a better high priest. As we will see this morning, this was a game changing statement for the original audience, and for us, even if you didn’t even know you had a Great high priest.

Hebrews 4:14

Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess.

The news of having a high priest might feel strange today because we don’t typically relate associate our faith and relationship with Jesus in priestly language.

But, listen, for the people who first read the letter to the Hebrews, this was a much bigger deal than you could imagine.

A priest in the Old Testament times was the person selected to bring offerings and sacrifices before the Lord. The priest was your spiritual quarterback…or clean-up hitter, or poll sitter…use your own analogy.

In those times, you didn’t just waltz into the presence of the Lord in the temple- that would get you killed. You did NOT get to God without the priest. Period.

There was only one person, the High Priest, who could do that. His job was to bring offerings and sacrifices on behalf of the people while they stayed outside. There was always a barrier between the people and God. So there had to be a go-between. That was a priest.

But now, Jesus is our “go between”, our agent, our representative, before the Father.

Hebrews 4:15

For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin.

Why is having Jesus as our great high priest good news?

Because Jesus knows what you’re going through, he knows what it’s like to face temptation, suffering, and the trials of life. In fact, what we endure on this earth may be hard, but it’s really nothing compared to what He suffered on our behalf.

Hebrews 4:16

Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

You have a great high priest. He understands the temptations and trials of life. And he’s here to help.

With Jesus as your great high priest, you can come into the presence of God with confidence that we can receive the mercy and grace that we need for this life.

No religious ceremony, no burnt incense, only by the blood of Christ. Not only can we do this, in fact, we must.

Hebrews 5:1-10

Every high priest is selected from among the people and is appointed to represent the people in matters related to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. He is able to deal gently with those who are ignorant and are going astray, since he himself is subject to weakness. This is why he has to offer sacrifices for his own sins, as well as for the sins of the people. And no one takes this honor on himself, but he receives it when called by God, just as Aaron was. In the same way, Christ did not take on himself the glory of becoming a high priest. But God said to him, “You are my Son; today I have become your Father.” And he says in another place, “You are a priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.” During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with fervent cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission. Son though he was, he learned obedience from what he suffered and, once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him and was designated by God to be high priest in the order of Melchizedek.

Jesus didn’t win a contest or have a popular vote to become the Great High Priest, he did not take that role upon himself. He was appointed or given that position by God the Father.

Just because Jesus was the Son of God, that did not exempt him from necessity of obedience. Being the son didn’t exempt him from suffering, suffering even to the point of death. But he did it; our great High Priest earned that that title.

Jesus had to say no to his desire to live, his desire to side step what was ahead- he had to choose obedience, choose the way of the Father.

That’s the essence of this passage. Jesus took the Master Class of obedience and completed the course perfectly and now he offers eternal salvation to those who obey him.

He is The Great High Priest.

No matter where you find yourself today, the message of Hebrews is loud and clear. Chris is above all.

Above any challenge, above any temptation, or any suffering. He is above all. And as your great high priest, he is here to help. To lead you to the throne of grace and mercy.

Jesus has been there and now, he’s here to help you. Will you trust him?

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Church of the Nazarene Harrisonburg

Power of Prayer Part 3

Psalms 139:23-24

Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life.

Isn’t it strange that we can sometimes be wrong…about OURSELVES?

We sometimes don’t know ourselves as much as we think we do.

1. Sin Clouds Our Vision

Psalms 119:18

Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law.

When we ask for God to uncover our sin, the Holy Spirit reveals the things of our life that break our Father’s Heart

1 John 1:8

If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.

Yada- The Hebrew word for “know” to have an intimate knowing relationship.

This is so important because, apart from it, we can’t experience real Holiness- which is, ultimately, what God wants for us.

2. When God Saturates, Holiness Radiates.

Salvation and Holiness illustration

Chocolate Milk

Our Life- Glass of regular white milk in a glass

Salvation- Chocolate syrup poured into the milk sitting at the bottom of the glass. The presence of the chocolate alters the taste of the milk a little, but one wouldn’t say, “It’s chocolate milk”

Holiness- When the Chocolate is stirred and overwhelms the white milk. You no longer see the “regular milk,” instead it’s now a new creation. It has a whole new taste.

When we ask God to search, test and uncover our sin, we are asking God to stir our hearts and make us Holy.

David desired the presence of God and in this prayer, he sought to eradicate anything in his own life that might destroy that life-giving relationship.

3. Hidden Sin doesn’t Exist

There is no such thing as Hidden sin, so why keep it from the one who already knows.

Asking God to examine our own heart allows us to pursue God’s will.

Ephesians 2:10

For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

Bottom Line:

Seeking insight from the divine within reveals the masterpiece where His will begins

The more we allow God to chisel away our sin, the more we will be formed into His image, His original masterpiece.

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Church of the Nazarene – East Rock

The Power of Prayer Part 3

Search me, test me, uncover my sin, and lead me.

Today we are continuing in our teaching series called “The power of prayer” based on Psalm 139.

Prayer like we find here in Psalm 139 is very vulnerable. It’s a complete opening of ourselves to the Lord.

In Psalm 139 David is inviting the Lord behind the curtain, behind what even David himself knows, to search him, to test him, to uncover hidden sin, and to lead him. As David sought the Lord in these areas, we want to do that as well.

Throughout this series we are exploring and praying these four petitions: Search me, test me, uncover my sins, and lead me.

Today we continue with “See if there is any offensive way in me”

Psalms 139:23-24

Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

David is inviting the Lord to come in close and have a look at his life.

The word for “see” here is pretty much like it sounds.

To have a look, to perceive, to look closely. To become aware or to realize.

David knows he cannot see his own sin completely, but that the Lord sees perfectly.

We already know the Lord sees and knows everything about us, we learn that in the beginning of this psalm. The point of this prayer is so that David will become aware, that he will have the same perspective as the Lord about things in his life. Even things he doesn’t know about yet…

What David is asking to see are the “offensive ways” that are in his heart.

Some translations say “wicked way” or “Grievous way.” The NASB says “See if there be any hurtful way in me.”

The central idea is that anything at all that might be in David’s heart that is separating him from God, is hurtful to him in their relationship, is offensive to him and his holiness- David wants to know about it.

He cared deeply about Holiness of heart and life, and David had learned the hard way that hidden sin, could cost him big time.

During much of David’s life he was wildly successful in whatever he did. David was chosen by God to be king of Israel, to lead his people in the way of the Lord, to defend the nation, to see them flourish, and that he did with excellence.

2 Samuel 5:12-13 “12 Then David knew that the Lord had established him as king over Israel and had exalted his kingdom for the sake of his people Israel. 13 After he left Hebron, David took more concubines and wives in Jerusalem, and more sons and daughters were born to him.”

At what seemed like pinnacle of his success, what was once a hidden desire below the surface emerged and began to drive the decisions and actions of his life.

The man after God’s own heart has become an adulterer, a murderer. He has broken God’s law, and his heart. Sin that was once well below the surface has emerged to consume David’s life.

Imagine how David’s story might have been different if he had prayed Psalm 139-see if there is any offensive way in me…

He could have spared himself a lot of heart ache if he had only stopped to pray: Lord, see if there’s anything in me, that’s offensive to you, anything upsetting to you. No matter how small of a deal I might think it is, I want to surrender that to you.

While David’s life could have been different, the good news for you and for me is that your life CAN be different.

David learned the danger of hidden sin the hard way, but we have the opportunity to learn from him, and to pray for ourselves: Lord, will you come in and have a close look, show me anything in my life that is upsetting to you, that is hurtful, that is sinful. Come and see, show me Lord, and lead me in the life everlasting.

How about you today? Will you invite the Lord to uncover sin in your life?

You might be wondering: What do I do when he shows me something?

That’s a really important question, because you can be assured that if you pray this with sincerity, that he will show you things in your life. So, what do we do?

1 John 1:8-9 “8 If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”

If we think that it’s not possible for us to be holding sinful desires in our hearts, we are kidding ourselves. But if we will confess our sin, if when the Lord reveals something to us that is offensive to him- rather than brushing it off, rather than saying “it’s just the way I am”, or “I can’t help that”. If we will agree with him in what he finds, if we will confess that he is right, it has no place in our lives- he will forgive us.

And not only will he forgive, but he will also bring healing and purity in our hearts.

Praying and asking the Lord to reveal sin in our lives can be painful, can be frustrating, but it’s the only way we can ever find forgiveness and healing.

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